14 The Admission Tests

Haelan arrived at the fortress of Brandenburg just in time. The coachman will wait patiently outside, either until it is needed to send Haelan's chest and chaneries in or take him back home to Tobias' side.

One by one, the men who'll have the admission test arrived. On foot, on horse or by carriage, they rushed to reach the fortress to become a squire. One should arrive at morning dusk, and follow a simple task - wait until the arc opens for it closes so fast.

In front of the Brandenburg's arc, there stand - different kinds of men with great strenght, power and height. The smallest aspirer looked out and observed with her eyes, Haelan carefully sensed the men's energies as she walk by. Not all share the same light, for most have none, yet some are quite vexating.

Haelan made her way in through towering men to the entrance of the arc, which is still closed with an electrifying energy restraining entry. The cold breeze blew making her already cold hands tremble. She tried as hard to keep her head in order. Standing along side men who look fierce and deadly, steaming with scent of musk, tobacco and thyme, Haelan stood noticeable as the tiniest in the crowd. Counting all the participants, she looked around keeping the tight smug on her face. One, two… ten. She counted almost fifty men desperate to join the chivalry as Haelan stood as the tiniest in the crowd.

"They say, someone died years ago in this arena. It was the last test. The remaining participants had to pair up, and fight for their lives. Whoever's blood drops on the ground first, will lose.", a man with a scar across his face said as he stare on Brandenburg's closed gates. Scratching the thin strip of hair on top of his head then brushing his shaved sides, he crossed his arms keeping his cool as he wait for the time.

"So, if you are not afraid to lose it all, now is the best time to leave", a tall and bald man with big muscles spoke. He wore a sleeveless tabard made of black fur secured with black leather belt, and paired with a brown shabby trousers.

"I'm Ottis", the man with the scar said.

"Jacomus. Call me Jac.", the big man with a strong accent replied. "You are?", he asked Haelan.

"Haelan", Haelan dryly replied.

"Aren't you too small for this, don't you think lad?", Jac squinted is eyes as he measure the height of Haelan.

"Jac, let the squirrel be", Ottis said with a smirk.

Haelan exhaled sharply at the men teasing her. She just focused on the goal that brought her here. Suddenly, the earth started to quake and a rumbling sound shook the gate. The big arc of limestones ignited a blue light that welcomed the strongest warriors from all over the place. Each man entered with loud cheers and grunts fueled with good spirits, confidence, and excitement. Haelan stood for a while and waited, thinking that getting in Brandenburg should be now or never.

"No turning back, squirrel", Ottis said as he shrug his shoulders at Haelan. Gathering her hopes and all of her courage, Haelan set foot in Brandenburg following the other participants.

Timely, there were still more men coming, yet as soon as the sunlight completely unveiled the darkness in the sky, the gates quickly started closing. Most never made it, as they frown at the missed benefit.

The passage directly led to a fresh greenery with a steep cobblestone stairwell going down. A hundred steps they all have to make, until they reach Brandenburg's holy ground.

Forty men walked into the open quadrangle, the enormous space just by the three halls connected with parapet walks in between flanking towers. All structures were wonderfully made from shiny onyx and square limestones. There were engraved scriptures all around the stone walls, that seemed like spells for protection.

Waiting upfront are Lords Callagahn and Harlan, alongside some knights, archers and scholars. From breezy cool ambiance, the atmosphere quickly changed to something warm and intimidating. The participants gathered on the empty quad, filling the silence with murmurs.

Up in the mezzanine overseeing the crowd, Alesso in his emerald green cloak and Stellan wearing his usual black armor scanned the participants one by one.

As soon as Haelan noticed the Paladins, she swiftly kept her self hidden behind Jac and Ottis. "Great", she worriedly whispered as she remembered that both Paladins have seen her bare face as a woman. Her heart started to pound more, but this time, in a tune she have never experienced before. Realizing what's making her heart race, she decided to take another peek at the Paladin in black armor. Breath-taking as he look, his eyes and nose were perfect as it should that even in great distance and in a group of many men, Stellan's physique still stood out the most.

Haelan stared at Stellan's face too long that made her feel awkward. A man that she is at the moment shouldn't be drooling for a Paladin. She then hid once again behind Jac, away from the radar of Stellan, making sure he won't recognize the face of the girl who could heal the wounded. While Haelan hid and lower her face down, the rest of the men admire the Paladins. Staring up with their gleaming eyes, hoping that one day they can be great like a paladin.

Then, suddenly, the participants whistled and howled, as they were blown away by the rare presence of the blonde Paladin. Walking up in the parapet walk to the mezzanine, Vesta stood with Alesso and Stellan. Haelan couldn't help but steal another a glance. Stellan and Vesta looked like quite a good match. 'The kiss may be nothing for that stupid black knight', she thought. "I'll find the stone and he can get out of my sight.", she uttered.

Showing her muscles as she wear skimpy clothes made of leather under a large furcoat, Vesta clicked her tongue as she is dying to go. "Bored already?", Alesso, the long silver-haired archer asked, keeping his head down with his emerald green hooded cloak as he rest his hands on the battlement.

"This is tedious and lacking variety", Vesta said as she harden her jaw.

"Like choosing your own warriors?", Stellan, the knight in his black armor said as he scratch his stubbled beard with his thumb.

"No.. more like not appearing on your own wedding?", Vesta replied as she badge her runaway groom. Not too long, the two Paladins were set to marry. Stellan ditched his own wedding and thought it was a grievious mistake to marry his bestfriend. The black knight gave her a side-eye and smirked a little, looked back down at the clamouring participants.

"Come on Vesta, the fun part haven't even started yet. Besides it's not everyday we find a girl here. Want to make a bet?", Alesso teased Vesta as he pleased.

"No.", Vesta immediately said.

"I'll bet on tiny", Alesso said confidently, locking his black eyes on the smallest partaker hiding behind the tall and muscular mortal being.

"Hmmm?", Stellan squinted his eyes on Haelan. "I don't think that one will last", he said.

"And you?", Alesso said as he rub his palms together.

"What is it for me?", Vesta asked with one brow higher.

"The winner gets a royalty treatment for a day. What say you?", Alesso offered.

"Then, I'll go with the big one", Vesta chose Jac, the largest and tough looking man among the participants.

"Hmm?", Alesso lifted his brows and gaped at Stellan as if waiting for him to also choose one.

"I don't make bets", Stellan said as he move his head sideways.

"How's your hands, by the way?", Vesta suddenly asked.

Stellan removed one of his hand armor showing his hand and replied, "Looking like brand new".

"Lucky. But how's the prince?", Alesso asked.

"Still on his deathbed", Stellan replied as he clenched his fist.

Haelan's heart beat so fast, as she smell dried blood on the swaying grass. Highly strung if she could keep her biggest lie, while her own life is up as sacrifice. In a time to come, Lord Harlan, who has white full beard on his round friendly face, wearing a royal blue houppelande with long wide sleeves, dagged edges, a silver fur lining, and a full-length skirt, signaled a scholar to come forth and stand up at the circular concrete floor in front of the participants. The scholar rang a bell to catch the attention of the impatient participants who are starting to make uneccesary sounds.

Everyone hushed as the scholar opened a scroll. He cleared his throat and started to talk. "Welcome Men of Nether to Brandenburg! The chivalry has once again opened its gates in search for men that values brotherhood and loyalty to the royalty. Lord Callaghan and Lord Harlan congratulates you for having the courage to take part in this season's admission.", he announced as the quad was filled with claps and cheers so loud. "I request for each of you to stay in position. The admisision test will now commence.", he continued.